Replies

1. 
   NumberNine | Oct 17, 2006 02:58am | #1

   I have the Hammer A31 12" J/P and really like it. I haven't had it long enough to give a good review but my fears about the aluminum fence were unfounded. If I had to make the decision again I would still go for the Hammer but would add the digital scale as I'm sure it would be handy. There is a review of it on the Felder website taken from the English Furniture and Cabinetmaking magazine.

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Oct 17, 2006 04:08am | #2

   I haven't used any of them, but did give them a once over (I didn't crawl inside for a deep look) at IWF several  months ago. All are very heavy and appear to be well machined from a surface view. The MIni-Max folks are very customer oriented and the Rojek folks are extremely customer oriented.

   No opinion on the Hammer personnel (Felder) as the Felder booth was very busy on Saturday and nobody ventured over to help on either occasion with the jointer-planer combo or their Hammer TS. The lower Hammer line was positioned to the side and rear of the Felder.

   I could give more detail on the three's TS's and Mini Max's BS as that was my main goal at their booths. From what I saw, close call on how they're made. I can't tell you how they actually perform.

   Regards and good luck with your choice...

   SARGE..

1. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Oct 17, 2006 12:56pm | #4

   Hi Sarge,You're about right - they're at the same price point and perform about the same - I use one in a small semi-pro cabinet shop (an old MiniMax hobby grade LAB300) after I rebuilt the slider, it's worked quite well for me.CHeers,eddie

   Edited 10/17/2006 6:00 am by eddiefromAustralia

3. 
   nikkiwood | Oct 17, 2006 05:49am | #3

   There was a thread here a year or so ago on this topic.

   There were two guys that had bought the MiniMax jointer/planer, and both of them couldn't say enough good things about it.

   I had a lot of questions because I have an Inca, which is no longer made, and I figure sooner or later some one of the major parts will go south and I'll be up the "crick."

   Have you asked if any of these companies keep a data base of buyers in your area that you could call for a reference?

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

4. 
   BOBABEUI | Oct 17, 2006 05:14pm | #5

   Hi Tcbaldmtn,

   I own a Minimax FS-41 Elite jointer/planer combo machine for about the last 2 years. I bought the machine as an upgrade to my then current jointer and planer (Powermatic 54A and Delta DC-380), rather than from a space savings point of view. I really like the Tersa knives and the accuracy and repeatabilty of the digital height indicator on the planer.  Just the other day I face jointed a 16 inch wide board, I am spoiled forever (thanks to the LOML).

   The only disappointing feature of the Fs-41 is the really crappy plastic american style 'pork chop' jointer guard, the euro guard is a extra cost item of about $400

   Best of Luck

5. 
   cigarmike | Oct 17, 2006 05:55pm | #6

   I have the jointer/planer from Andreou Machinery, which is very similar to the Rojek 12" machine, and the Robland(Laguna) 12" machine. Check their website, but it currently sells for around $2800-2900. Price was the biggest selling point for me, but if some lottery funds find their way to my checking account, I will be looking hard at the Felder line; much higher quality/much higher $$$.

   I have been pleased with mine so far, and the 12" jointing capacity is nice. The fence is a low-quality/cheesy affair, but you get what you pay for. Just make sure to check for 90deg after moving it to perform planing operations, which is a good idea anyway.

   I believe any of the current offerings in the 12" range are good machines; you just have to decide what you want to pay. Good luck & watch those fingers.

6. 
   retire | Oct 17, 2006 07:17pm | #7

   There is a comparison article by Colin Eden-Eadon of Hammer, Rojek, Minimax and a few others. It is a European publication, can 't make out which one. I got it from the Felder-Hammer folks so you could call them. There verdict for value was the Hammer.